Do you own or operate a business in your area? We’re talking about any type of business: car dealership, restaurant, law firm, and so on. These industries all need reliable Internet exposure and engaged customers to perform well.
Do you have what you consider a solid online presence? Yet somehow, your website never shows up on the first page of Google results? And you don’t seem to be pulling in more revenue even though you just revamped your homepage?
A modern, mobile-optimized website is great – but you need more. 53% of organic searches go to the first link that comes up. So if your page is near the bottom, or even worse, on page 2 or beyond. . . good luck standing out.
The benefits of SEO are obvious, but how can you make them work for you? Here’s why you need to hire an SEO expert, stat!
1. An SEO Expert Can Track Your Competition
Your competition is a valuable resource, especially in the beginning stages of SEO. Competitive analysis is key in understanding the industry you’re in.
SEO company Moz explains why. What keywords and backlinks are aiding in your competition’s growth? What is working – and not working – for them? And how can you make that work for you?
An SEO expert has the means to find this information out and use it in an organic way to help your business.
2. They Can Increase Your Sales and Traffic
This is one of the key reasons to have SEO, right?
SEO gets you more visibility. More visibility equals more traffic to your page. And the higher your traffic, the more chances you’ll have to make a sale of your products or services.
3. They Have Expertise and Experience
SEO is like an onion.
Do you have time to learn the many layers? The ins and outs of a constantly-changing service? Can you keep up with the updates, the rules, the many avenues?
If you think you have what it takes, keep reading. Reason #4 may change your mind.
4. Google Algorithms Are Always in Flux
SEO is anything but constant. In fact, Google algorithms can change five to six hundred times per year!
Right when you think you’ve figured it out, it changes. And these changes can be detrimental to your perceived progress. You may lose money, status, rankings.
An SEO expert may not know everything about the update, as Google isn’t always 100% transparent. But an SEO wiz is 100% ready to tackle the problem and make appropriate adjustments.
Are you comfortable making those changes yourself without the proper insight?
5. They Provide Consistent Content and Insight
Unfortunately, SEO isn’t a one-time service. It takes regular adjusting, marketing, and insight.
Like we mentioned, algorithms change and what worked in the past may not always work. In fact, it’s more likely that it won’t.
Consistent, quality content is necessary to keep your page relevant. One carefully-crafted blog post does not a business make.
6. They Know How to Avoid Over-Optimization (Yes, That’s a Thing)
Say you’re teaching yourself SEO.
You realize that specific keywords are a major factor in how your website ranks. You use said keyword throughout your website and blog posts. In fact, you may even use it too much – and get pinged for over-optimization.
Keyword stuffing is only one example of over-optimization. Many factors can lead to over-optimizing, from bad links to non-relevant keywords. It’s an SEO expert’s job to learn them all.
7. You’re Allotted More Time for the Business
Let’s face it.
You barely have enough time to check your emails, eat a good meal, oversee the company’s operations, and do SEO. Running a business is a time-consuming process.
That’s why outsourcing certain services is a smart decision. You’re allotted more time to do the things you know how to do. Leave the complex stuff for the pros that you hire.
8. They Improve Your Online and Local Presence
This is one of the biggest reasons to hire an SEO expert. Your online presence is great, sure, but what about your local one? How can you reach the people within a certain radius of your brick-and-mortar?
An expert covers all the bases. Local keywords, managing reviews, getting your name on a local directory. And so on.
And if you want even more local business, check out our post on the benefits of geofencing. Geofencing targets people right in your area, even while they’re in your store.
9. They Can Give You an Accurate SEO Report
Say you’ve hired an SEO expert. Other than what feels like a general improvement in traffic, how can you track their progress?
An SEO expert can offer feedback through SEO reporting. This answers, at the least, the following questions:
- What SEO has been done this month? In comparison to last month? Last year?
- Did any new opportunities for SEO present themselves in recent times?
- Are there any new competitive threats? And if so, how can we use them to our advantage?
- Is there actual proof of the accomplishments made through SEO efforts?
Hiring an SEO expert is the first step in a long game of optimization. SEO reporting proves that the person you hired is offering true benefits to your company.
10. The Benefits of SEO Aren’t Going Anywhere
You’ll always have competition, and thus you’ll always need to rise above it. You’ll always have a need for marketing, exposure, and an online presence. If anything, SEO is becoming more vital by the year.
Reason #5 explained the need for consistent content. You need SEO now and later. Consistency is key to staying relevant.
SEO: You Know You Need It
A business is a combination of many things.
Marketing, advertising, planning, communication, and more. There’s a lot to think about. So why not leave the SEO work to the expert?
You understand the business benefits of SEO. Now it’s time to put them into play and get your page clicked on.
Got any questions? Still unsure about your next steps? Call us for a complimentary, no-obligations-expected consultation.